Local man arrested in illegal gas siphoning scheme

by Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio

Investigators with the Ramsey County Sheriff's office said they have arrested a suspect in one of the most elaborate schemes to steal gas that they have ever seen.

St. Paul, Minn. — Chad Michael Storey was arrested for siphoning gas, but not with a hose to his mouth.

Instead, he used a tube that ran underneath Storey's truck from his gas tank into the cab through the floor.

Authorities said Storey could roll down his window and put the tube into the gas tank of the victim's car. A switch near the steering wheel started the siphoning, which means Storey never had to leave his seat to steal.

Sergeant Dan Loots with the Ramsey County Sheriff's office helped arrest Storey.

"We were kind of shocked and amazed that someone would go to that level of effort to steal gas. It's a big engine, I'm sure he uses a lot of gas," said Loots.

Investigators said the truck was also rigged to let Storey dump his gas into other tanks if he wanted to stock up and make a few runs at once.

Investigators also said thieves usually share good ideas, so if it worked for Storey it might be working for someone else right now.

The felony that Storey is charged with carries a three year prison term if he is convicted.